15 Tasting Notes
This sheng is purposedly processed to be drank young, so it’s slightly different to the average sheng. Really mild but with thick mouthfeel, notes of lavender and flowery honeyed aromas and a tad of green leafs.
Because of the virtual absence of bitterness and astringency I like to overleaf it quite a bit, this way it gains a lot of viscosity and some oolong-esque character. Slightly refreshing also.
Flavors: Green Melons, Honey, Lavender
Opened the wrapper and Inmediatley teleported to the fruits section of a farmers market. Cake itself smells intensely to grapes and celery.
Did a tiny session 90ml Gaiwan/ 4g/95c. It tastes bitter, with a grapefruit type bitterness. Grapeseed, muscatel flavours and fruit skin are all over intensely, with a dark bread and tree bark back.
Quite complex, with a long and entertaining aftertaste.
I see myself buying this one every year.
Flavors: Celery, Grapefruit, Muscatel, Oak, Wood
To my surprise, rinses had a quite a bit of wo dui funk but it was gone soon in the session. It continuously released a small amount of sediment so a pitcher for decanting is advised, though I consider this a minor issue.
Zero bitterness or astringency. It’s probably one of the smooothest shous I’ve had. It’s dark, very regular through steeps even if there are interesting shifts in notes. Complexity is good but placed within a narrow band of the spectrum. Progressing through the steeps it opens up going from wet forest, wood profile to more on flowers and cherries.
The smoothness is deceiving. It seems and tastes mild and subtle but hours after the session and I still have aromas lingering around. Qi… if there’s any I’d say is calming, I don’t feel caffeine anywhere.
So far, liking it a lot. Pretty much at the gravity center of what a classic menghai shou is with all it’s earth, forest and wood. Will save this one for cosy rainy days.
Flavors: Cherry, Earth, Rainforest, Wet Wood
I second Togo’s notes about this tea. It’s easy to brew, it has a lot of sweetness in taste and aroma, a nice thick, viscous texture and a very warming mouthfeel.
It has notes to dates, dry fruits, blackcurrant, clover, cinnamon. No note is outstanding hence, good balance. A lasting aftertaste with some aromatic chemical activity that tingles at the palate. No bitterness unless pushed a lot, no astringency.
Flavors: Cinnamon, Clove, Dates, Nuts, Wet Wood
It’s a good shou with a surprisingly thick texture. A lot of berries and wood, a bit of cherry. The aroma is really nice and I only wished it translated more to flavor, which is a bit muted but smooth and round.
Agree that it benefits of a hard brewing. Did a couple of soft steeps and it went too subtle and mineral. Most likely my bad.
Flavors: Berries, Cherry, Wood
An unexpensive yet well balanced tea. It doesn’t seem to have aged a lot as it tastes a bit younger than the tag. But the truth is that I don’t feel any outstanding flavors or aromas that need much more polishing to be enjoyable.
Bright, greenish, herbal, bitter and slightly astringent. Soapy bitterness that leads to a quick huigan slap. In the nose there are aromas to lime leaves and capers. Some chaqi but not much. The material has a fair amount of whole medium leaves and twigs.
Flavors: Citrus, Flowers, Green Apple, Soap, Umami
Preparation
Yes, a good one!
Not much to add to the other reviews here. It’s a good harmony of flavours and aromas, doesn’t have the potency of other shengs but it gives a well balanced, floral, fruity and medicinal tasting drink with hints of grass and wood. Cup melified instantly and is easy to drink, because is on the softer side.
The lingering aftertaste is quite long and it reminded me of albariño white wine.
Quite good value at $24. Moar! :)
Flavors: Floral, Fruity, Grass, Spices
Interesting to read lavender, honey and melons; in pu-erh.
I have always thought about ordering from Teamania. Peter is a great person that runs them.
Hi Martin. This puerh in some ways has the profile of an oolong, it’s very flowery and smooth for a young sheng.
Mrmopar. I’ve only ordered from him once, and it’s been pretty good so far. Prices are also very reasonable for an european shop.
Danif: thanks for for it :) It sounds interesting to try.